What is a novice??

[dominobrown]

After someone on this forum called me a novice, I was wondering what do you class as a novice, intermediate and experienced rider?? I may be a novice compared to some of you or vice versa, I don't know. Just wondering...
p.s. I am not offended in anyway, just intrigued

 

[E_Lister]

How long is a bit of string?

I think it depends really. If I were to have to judge I would have to judge against the BHS stages just as a rough guide.

Up to and including 1 (possibly 2) as novice
Stage 3 as intermediate
Above this advanced

I am a novice and proud! We all start somewhere and as long as I can feel MYSELF improving, I don't care what other people think of me (well, as long as it isn't that I'm cruel!)

 

[dominobrown]

oooo good answer! I have my stage 3 and have worked at various yards, currently a point to point yard, yet I suppose I am still a novice to some people. I couldn't tell you much about polo I suppose so I am a compleate novice there!

 

[PoniesRock]

I wouldn't say I'm a novice on my pony, although riding a different pony would be a different matter. I'm by no means an expert though!

I would class a novice as someone with basic riding skills, had more than a few lessons and can do the basics with confidence

 

[aimeejay]

As someone else said, how long is a piece of string?

You could be a novice in a certain area, for e.g xc but advanced in dressage? People class novice as different things, I wouldnt class myself as a novice, but then again its who you compare yourself to! Sorry not much help

 

[girlmoose]

It depends who was asking. If a professional was asking I would say I was novice.

If a riding school I was going to for lesson asked then I would say that I had experience with horses and then say what I had done.

I think that as long as you are always open to advice, constructive critcism regardless of your experience and you ask if your not sure of anything then it doesn't really matter

 

[abina]

What you class yourself as and what other people class you as will always be different - everyone will have their own ideas. I'm quite harsh at my RS and class people as Novice until they understand the concept of soft, round and with a light, soft flexible and yielding but secure seat and hand. Hence I have a lot of Novices !! but as long as you want to improve and learn does it matter what you are 'Classed' as ? probably not !

 

[Spudlet]

Surely it also depends what you want to do as well? I would be a very novice showjumper, but am not a novice hacker, AKA Defeater of Evil Tractors, Horse-eating Pheasants, huge chasms pretending to be shallow puddles and HGVs of Doom

 

[Cliqmo]

I guess I tend to think of 'novice' as meaning 'inexperienced' which might refer to their ability in a certain discipline or to horsemanship generally, depending on context.

As others have said I think whether you consider/describe yourself as a novice depends on who you are speaking to and what their interpretation of novice is likely to be

 

[hondatyper]

I went to a riding school recently, the first time in years, I was asked to sign a document that listed if I was beginner, novice, experienced, advanced etc.

I am trying to think what it said but it went from begininer either not having been on a horse before or only ridden once or twice, novce could walk trot and canter, experienced could walk trot canter jump and was confident in open spaces and advanced said all of the above and ablet to deal with a horse in 99% of circumstances!

I said I wasn't sure what to put as I have my own horse and am used to him having paddies etc, I have been riding for years, used to open spaces can ride a horse in an outline have an independent seat and soft hands but HATE jumping!!!

They put me down as experienced (!!!!) and the lovely little horse I got had a couple of 'moments' as he was young and not too good with 'jet skis' (don't ask!) but his little 'paddys' were nothing compared to the huge hoolies I have been used to on my own and other liveries horses, this one was very tame in comparison.

So as it's been said how long is a piece of string!!!!!!!!!!